Administrators Eric Hall Posted April 25, 2017 Administrators My Rides (3) Report Share Posted April 25, 2017 So not an XL but more #XSADV, the new CRF250L Rally from Honda is out. I get to go play with one at Johnny Campbell's house! How cool is that? From an adventure perspective, many have looked at this bike as an ideal round the world adventure bike given it's fairing and bigger gas tank. Sure it's weak on power but @One Steph Beyond seems to enjoy hers and she's been to every continent! I'm anxious to check it out and will report back here as well as over at ThumperTalk. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrators Eric Hall Posted April 25, 2017 Author Administrators My Rides (3) Report Share Posted April 25, 2017 site says $5899 (US) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrators Eric Hall Posted April 25, 2017 Author Administrators My Rides (3) Report Share Posted April 25, 2017 no doubt you'd have to carry a lot less with a 250. With panniers, racks then tools, tubes, water, oil, bag, pad, cooking gear, etc... you hit 60 lbs really fast. I think more likely it's used as a first bike or an extra bike for local trail stuff. Some guy on the FB post said he's doing the TAT on his Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onewheelwheatley Posted April 25, 2017 Report Share Posted April 25, 2017 I see both sides of the coin for this. I spent a month aboard an XT225 and loved it, even doing some weekend camping trips off it. I wouldn't complain about using the new rally for a solo RTW trip but I'd be mindful of what I'm bringing (plus I dig the looks). On the other hand I test rode a WR250R and found it pretty underwhelming compared to what I thought it would be. I imagine the CRF falls between the XT and WR in terms of power and suspension. I think it comes down to what are your expectations for it. It's no race bike or touring mule, but it can probably reluctantly do both if you ask it to. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrators Eric Hall Posted April 25, 2017 Author Administrators My Rides (3) Report Share Posted April 25, 2017 BTW, Jonny Campbell is a thug Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrators Eric Hall Posted April 26, 2017 Author Administrators My Rides (3) Report Share Posted April 26, 2017 Interesting piece here about this new bike vs the Versys-X 300 and the new mini GS Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrators Eric Hall Posted April 27, 2017 Author Administrators My Rides (3) Report Share Posted April 27, 2017 I will try to get shipment numbers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrators Eric Hall Posted April 28, 2017 Author Administrators My Rides (3) Report Share Posted April 28, 2017 Nice pic of me on the Rally Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrators Eric Hall Posted April 28, 2017 Author Administrators My Rides (3) Report Share Posted April 28, 2017 The CRF250L is the #1 selling dual sport bike in the US with about a 20% share. I'll have pics of the L model shortly too but there are some updated looks for it as well. Probably the best trail bike in the world. Nothing like a 990 or a 450 rally bike; this Rally model is referred to as a "rally replica" and is still basically a trail bike. I'd liken it to a Honda CRV in desert tan with black rims and off road tires. Review shortly linked from ThumperTalk. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jason R Posted April 28, 2017 My Ride Report Share Posted April 28, 2017 I still wonder why Honda does not release a 450 model... I can plate a CRF450X in Arizona, but its missing some stuff you would like to keep it from getting stolen in a parking lot. Wonder why they let KTM have that market? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrators Eric Hall Posted April 29, 2017 Author Administrators My Rides (3) Report Share Posted April 29, 2017 Jason Abbott, their US marketing manager says he hears that all the time Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrators Eric Hall Posted April 29, 2017 Author Administrators My Rides (3) Report Share Posted April 29, 2017 Review posted over at ThumperTalk https://www.thumpertalk.com/forums/topic/1226736-2017-crf250l-crf250l-rally-press-launchreview/#comment-13700352 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrators Eric Hall Posted April 29, 2017 Author Administrators My Rides (3) Report Share Posted April 29, 2017 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AdvRob Posted April 29, 2017 Report Share Posted April 29, 2017 If you ride these Honda 250s within their means they are probably some of the best bikes out there. Only giving it up to the wr250r because of suspension. It's the heavy loads and freeway speeds that are always the compromise between big bikes and smaller ones. 6 speeds get these 250s up to highway speeds...eventually. Not a lot of room for error, passing speeds, high winds, etc.. When you add heavy loads it just magnifies the short comings. I don't think your going to be able to stretch out gears with sprocket changes on this one, because of the lower power, and if anything dual sporters probably want the more low end grunt and will want to gear a bit lower. Ive searched for the perfect do it all and it's hard and I've wasted plenty of money and time. Buying and selling bikes. I bet if your honest with yourself and how you ride this, it's could be one of the best bikes out there. minimum freeway, lighter loads, no king of the motos routes, and ride around the 50 miles of whoops in San Felipe. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AdvRob Posted April 29, 2017 Report Share Posted April 29, 2017 Just noticed in the video Johnny Campbell's house is in murrietta. What's that address again? I'm probably 20 minutes from there. Might have to "get a flat" on the XR650R and have to use his phone. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrators Eric Hall Posted April 30, 2017 Author Administrators My Rides (3) Report Share Posted April 30, 2017 What ADVRob said Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kojack06 Posted May 1, 2017 Report Share Posted May 1, 2017 (edited) I ride with a friend that has one. They are nice little bikes buy very heavy. Edited May 1, 2017 by kojack06 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kojack06 Posted May 1, 2017 Report Share Posted May 1, 2017 I applaud Honda for making these affordable bikes. I'm really trying to get more younger people into dual sport/adventure riding so we can grow the recreation and sustain it. Having affordable bikes and gear is important. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AdvRob Posted May 2, 2017 Report Share Posted May 2, 2017 (edited) 6 hours ago, kojack06 said: I applaud Honda for making these affordable bikes. I'm really trying to get more younger people into dual sport/adventure riding so we can grow the recreation and sustain it. Having affordable bikes and gear is important. Totally agree. I think it's easy to get caught up in the reviews, mags, forums, and advertising making you think anything other then a $10k+ bike is sub standard. And that's where the young guys flock for info. I've been there, done that. You get sucked in that worm hole and it's easy to be discouraged. Just waiting for that affordable mid size to get here. Or some of those mid sized bikes from the euro market to show up on out shores...one day....I hope. Edited May 2, 2017 by AdvRob 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrators Eric Hall Posted May 20, 2017 Author Administrators My Rides (3) Report Share Posted May 20, 2017 Rob Dabney of ADVPulse has a more comprehensive review. I think he did a good job here. and video 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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